Whiting: Kelly Thomas video offers clues about death

May 8, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

1 of 6

A security camera captured much of the altercation between Fullerton police officers and Kelly Thomas at the Fullerton bus depot. It was shown at the preliminary hearing in Santa Ana Monday and Tuesday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 6

A security camera captured much of the altercation between Fullerton police officers and Kelly Thomas at the Fullerton bus depot. It was shown at the preliminary hearing in Santa Ana Monday and Tuesday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 6

A security camera captured much of the altercation between Fullerton police officers and Kelly Thomas at the Fullerton bus depot. It was shown at the preliminary hearing in Santa Ana Monday and Tuesday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 6

A security camera captured much of the altercation between Fullerton police officers and Kelly Thomas at the Fullerton bus depot. It was shown at the preliminary hearing in Santa Ana Monday and Tuesday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 6

A security camera captured much of the altercation between Fullerton police officers and Kelly Thomas at the Fullerton bus depot. It was shown at the preliminary hearing in Santa Ana Monday and Tuesday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of 6

A security camera captured much of the altercation between Fullerton police officers and Kelly Thomas at the Fullerton bus depot. It was shown at the preliminary hearing in Santa Ana Monday and Tuesday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

A security camera captured much of the altercation between Fullerton police officers and Kelly Thomas at the Fullerton bus depot. It was shown at the preliminary hearing in Santa Ana Monday and Tuesday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

To be sure, the video of the altercation between Fullerton police and Kelly Thomas, a homeless schizophrenic, is deeply disturbing.

I watched a 33-minute-33-second version and grimaced through parts, viewing the grainy, sometimes blurry footage again and again to absorb as much detail as possible.

If the case goes to trial – and this week is merely a hearing to determine if it should – it's likely the prosecution will use the video to argue that officers beat to death a confused, harmless and innocent man.

At the same time, it's likely the defense will use the video to argue that officers used necessary force to subdue an out-of-control suspect.

Before weighing the fate of the two police officers accused, let's review the tape in its entirety.

Then, let's remember something else – yes, I wrote the same thing nine months ago – that the two officers charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

• • •

In airing the video, major news organizations such as ABC and CBS News label the footage: "Beating death of Kelly Thomas."

Perhaps to suggest a more neutral term sounds too genteel in an age of Twitter rants. But we only know from the coroner's autopsy what killed Thomas – not who or exactly how he was killed.

The cause of death was pressure on the body leading to a lack of oxygen in the brain.

Rogue cops? An arrest gone wrong? Or something else?

Yes, the video looks and sounds bad for the officers, really bad.

Still, after examining the video, I'm troubled with some descriptions in the media.

• • •

Perhaps I've seen too many movies.

When I read that officer Manuel Ramos pulled on a pair of rubber gloves and announced that his fists were getting ready to f-up Thomas, I pictured something very different from what the video shows.

I pictured something menacing, something out of the ultra-violent Oscar-winning film, "Pulp Fiction."

But in the video, Ramos has a wandering sometimes discordant, sometimes frustrating talk with Thomas for seven minutes before gloves show up.

It appears that Ramos' partner hands him a pair of gloves, should he need them. Ramos stuffs them away.

Five minutes later, Ramos is still interviewing Thomas, and the contents of his backpack are examined.

It is here when things start to escalate. And it's after here that I'm troubled with what I see and hear.

• • •

By this point, Thomas has complied with Ramos' orders to sit. Using a profanity, the officer pulls on gloves – standard procedure when handling a suspect – and tells Ramos to put his feet out in front and his hands on his knees.

Thomas says he can't do both.

Ramos says, "Well, you're going to have to learn real quick."

After another minute, this exchange occurs at 15:20:

Ramos: "Now you see my fists."

Thomas: "Yeah, what about 'em?"

Ramos: "They're getting ready to f- you up."

Thomas: "Start punching dude."

Ramos: "If you don't f-ing start listening."

Thomas: "It sucks."

Ramos: Yeah...Put your f-ing hands on your knees."

Thomas: "Well, hey, I'm sick of playing games. Which, which one is it?"

The video then shows Ramos pushing Thomas on the shoulder.

Thomas jumps up, standing. He appears to slap one of the officer's hands.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.